Stock-based compensation (Weighted-average Assumptions) (Details) - Performance units [Member] - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Weighted-average assumptions and resulting weighted-average grant date fair values [Abstract]
Closing price of our common stock on grant date (in usd per share)	$ 162.60	$ 156.35	$ 164.26
Volatility	25.90%	25.80%	24.30%
Risk-free interest rate	1.40%	0.90%	0.80%
Fair value of unit (in usd per share)	$ 178.87	$ 170.56	$ 182.55

The closing price of our common stock on grant date used to estimate the grant date fair value of our stock-based compensation.

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- Definition

The weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The estimated measure of the percentage by which a share price is expected to fluctuate during a period. Volatility also may be defined as a probability-weighted measure of the dispersion of returns about the mean. The volatility of a share price is the standard deviation of the continuously compounded rates of return on the share over a specified period. That is the same as the standard deviation of the differences in the natural logarithms of the stock prices plus dividends, if any, over the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (f)(2)(ii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

The risk-free interest rate assumption that is used in valuing an option on its own shares.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (f)(2)(iv)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5070-113901

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